What Does A Wedding Planner Do?
I can’t speak for all of them, but let me give you a brief look into what I do for my brides.
Design
* Your design vision is of great importance in achieving an event that you will cherish for a lifetime. Very often brides come to me with the beginnings of a vision but no idea how to define or achieve it. By listening, really hearing and exploring many options, together we bring that vision into sharp focus.
* Once defined, I present you with creative options appropriate for the design. I will aid you in making the selections that will bring that vision to life
* I provide all of my brides with a CAD(computerized archetechural drawing) of the event for their approval. The CAD then becomes an invaluable tool to ensure that each of your vendors “see” your vision from the earliest planning stages through to the completion of your event.
* No detail, from the largest to the most seemingly minor is left out. They are all equally important to bring about a wedding that is coordinated with dimension, scale and level of formality to flow together properly.
Vendor Relations
* As your planner I will research, recommend and contact the appropriate vendors for each of the 15 or more elements needed to create your beautiful event.
* Vendors view me as a regular customer, not a one time client. Because of this I am able to negotiate on your behalf with a clear advantage. That simple difference allows me to consistently save my brides considerable amount as well as positions your wedding to an advantage over the one time customer.
* I never accept a kick back or referral fee; any discount passes directly to you. What I ask from my vendors is exemplary service.
Implementation
* Beginning two weeks before your wedding I will revise all necessary areas in accordance with your confirmed guest list and confirm all logistics with each of your vendors.
* I will provide detailed timelines for you including hair, makeup, photography and transportation as well as one for your wedding party detailing the wedding weekend. I also provide each of your vendors with a logistics timeline for the wedding day to ensure that they are all working from the same plan and allowing each the time needed to do their best for you.
* I will handle the pick up and delivery of all the various elements of your wedding; the little details such as programs, gift bags, escort cards, signage and other personalized items.
* I will be there at your rehearsal to direct or assist your church director. I provide detailed information for your wedding party including timelines.
* On the day of your wedding I am the first one in and the last one out. My assistant and I will be there to provide total coordination of all the details and logistics to be sure that your day flows smoothly. From setting up the bride’s room to seeing you safely to your ‘get away’ car I will be there to assist and support you.
Budget
* Your budget is one of the most important parts of the planning process. It is one of the determining factors in the final design and is also often a major sticking point among families.
* I keep track of your budget by creating for you a personalized spreadsheet to keep you abreast of all expenses, savings and necessary information. Your spreadsheet is a helpful tool in staying on track with both your dreams and your budget.
Because I have a deep understanding of the time and energy needed to plan an event on this scale I have come to the conclusion that offering two distinctly different ways of achieving your goals would be helpful in suiting the need of my many different brides.
Many of my clients find themselves in the position of wanting a beautiful, meaningful event but lack the time needed to sift through every option and visit every vendor. If work or school or just the hectic life of today’s world is putting constraints on your time I can be of help.
After a thorough discussion of your wants, needs and desires for your wedding I can help you define your style. From that point on I will do the sifting for you. You will be presented with a series of options based on your unique style from which to choose. I will handle the vendor meetings and narrow down the many options available. With the exception of site selection and of course your attire I will handle the rest of the details and vendor meetings for you.
Over the course of your planning we will meet, as your time allows. I will present you with a few carefully selected options for each element that are in harmony with your taste and your budget. At that point you need only make your final decisions.
Many brides and their mothers have told me that this method of planning has been not only time and cost efficient but has been a major stress reliever as well.
For the bride that has the time and enthusiasm to truly relish every aspect of the planning process I offer a more couture experience. From the very beginning I will be there to guide you through the process.
I will book and accompany you to meetings with all of the various vendors needed. This way you will be able to see and select from the complete range of options available. I provide you with a detailed itinerary for each planning session to ensure that you are prepared for the upcoming decisions one step at a time.
I will assist you in making the selections that are in harmony with both your taste and your budget and truly represent your personal style.
While event planning and wedding planning are somewhat the same—
Wedding planning is for a personal and precious occasion in your lifetime. It entails those cherished personal and unique elements in both the ceremony and reception that no other event can begin to rival. I hope that you will allow me to assist you in bringing your visions to reality for today, tomorrow, for a lifetime.
Thank you
Alice Hendry,
Wedding Planning